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Penn State vs Northwestern – Big Ten Week 7 Betting Preview
The Penn State Nittany Lions are reeling after back-to-back losses and desperately need a win to stabilize their Big Ten campaign. A third straight loss would mark their worst midseason slump under head coach James Franklin.
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They’ll host the surging Northwestern Wildcats, who have won two straight by leaning on a disciplined defense and improved quarterback play.
Penn State can win if
They return to controlling games at the line of scrimmage. The Nittany Lions opened the year with three blowout wins by a combined 132-17 margin but have since faltered under pressure. Their rushing attack behind Kaytron Allen remains the strength — Allen averages 7.0 yards per carry with six touchdowns this season.
Penn State’s offensive front must establish early dominance to ease the burden on quarterback Drew Allar, who struggled against Oregon and UCLA. The defense, allowing 356.4 yards per game over the last two outings, must also generate turnovers against Northwestern’s Preston Stone, who has been turnover-prone under pressure.
If the Nittany Lions can win on first downs and limit short fields, they’ll have a chance to reset their momentum at home.
Northwestern can win if
They continue their defensive surge and keep Penn State’s offense one-dimensional. The Wildcats have allowed just 21 points over their last two games, frustrating both UCLA and UL Monroe with consistent tackling and zone discipline.
Quarterback Preston Stone has been the key barometer of success. In Northwestern’s two losses, he’s thrown six interceptions without a touchdown; in their three wins, he’s thrown seven TDs and no picks. Protecting the football and staying ahead of the chains will be critical against Penn State’s physical secondary.
Head coach David Braun’s unit is also excelling in situational defense — they’ve allowed just two red-zone touchdowns in their last eight opponent trips. If that trend continues, Northwestern could pull off another upset.
Line Movement and Odds
Opening: Penn State -10.5 / Northwestern +10.5
Current: Penn State -9.5 / Northwestern +9.5
Total: 48.0 points
Early action leaned toward Northwestern’s defense keeping it close. Bettors can track market movement through the college football odds page or compare book reliability in the Sportsbook Reviews section.
For additional line analysis and payout comparisons, the Pay Per Head Reviews page provides insights into operators and betting tools across the market.
NEW YORK GIANTS
vs
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Final
vs
Oct 09, 2025 13:15 EST
34
Score
17
+7.5 -110
Spread
-7.5 -110
o+41.5-110
Total
u+41.5-110
+320
Moneyline
-400
SAM HOUSTON ST
vs
JACKSONVILLE STATE
Final
vs
Oct 09, 2025 13:00 EST
27
Score
29
+9 -110
Spread
-9 -110
o+55.5-110
Total
u+55.5-110
+275
Moneyline
-350
GEORGIA SOUTHERN
vs
SOUTHERN MISS
Final
vs
Oct 09, 2025 13:00 EST
35
Score
38
+3 -110
Spread
-3 -110
o+60.5-110
Total
u+60.5-110
+125
Moneyline
-145
Matchup Breakdown
Penn State’s two-game skid has raised questions about consistency on both sides of the ball. The offense averages 32.6 points per game but has gone cold in the second half recently, while the defense has struggled to stop the run.
Northwestern, meanwhile, has found a defensive identity under Braun. Their tackling efficiency and communication have improved dramatically, and they’re currently 12th in the Big Ten in yards allowed per play — a solid jump from last season’s struggles.
Both teams rely on establishing tempo through the ground game, making this matchup likely to be decided in the trenches. For advanced efficiency metrics, explore the college football teams page and the Expert Betting Guide, which breaks down key statistical models behind spread outcomes.
Injury Report
Penn State Nittany Lions
- WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith (ankle) – questionable
- LB Abdul Carter (shoulder) – probable
Northwestern Wildcats
- RB Cam Porter (foot) – doubtful
- DB Jaheem Joseph (knee) – questionable
Weather in University Park is expected to be mild and clear with kickoff temperatures near 63°F.
Best Bets and Prediction
Penn State should bounce back at home, but Northwestern’s disciplined defense can keep the game within two scores. Expect a slower tempo and a heavy emphasis on the run game from both sides.
Prediction: Penn State 27, Northwestern 17
Best Bet: Northwestern +9.5 (-110)
Secondary Lean: Under 48 (-110)
Compare expert Big Ten predictions and betting data from verified sources on the Best Handicappers Leaderboard and read site evaluations via the Handicappers Sites Reviews.
ScoresAndStats Expert Resources
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- Expert Betting Guide for strategy and bankroll tips.
